The Second CFP Rankings Are Here (And It's Kinda Boring)
The top mostly remains the same, the middle mostly remains the same, the bottom mostly remains the same, and everything mostly remains the same.
The College Football Playoff selection committee has released its latest ranking, and it’s quite boring.
Unlike last week, there really wasn’t that much to talk about. Every team just kind of moved up or down based on how they played, which is not the most enthralling thing in the world. Oh well, I guess we can’t get a bombshell talking point every single week.
The same trends from last week continued in the new rankings. The selection committee hates the ACC — Miami is the highest-ranked team but wouldn’t be in line to make the CFP because it wouldn’t actually be the conference champion. The Big 12 continues to get massive amounts of love with Texas Tech, BYU, and Utah. Of course, the SEC and the Big Ten are still the kings of this castle, with the latter claiming the top two spots in the ranking.
Last week, no Group of 6 team was included. That changed as the selection committee elevated South Florida to No. 24, making it the heavy favorite to make the CFP from FBS’s bottom rung (I say that lovingly). There are several other teams that could crash that party — North Texas and James Madison chief among them — but for now, it’s South Florida’s spot to lose.
And that’s pretty much it. I told you it was kind of boring. (Please keep reading — I hope this isn’t boring!)
Here’s the second College Football Playoff ranking for 2025:
1. Ohio State (9-0)
Last week: 34-10 win at Purdue
This week: vs. UCLA
2. Indiana (10-0)
Last week: 27-24 win at Penn State
This week: vs. Wisconsin
3. Texas A&M (9-0)
Last week: 38-17 win at No. 22 Missouri
This week: vs. South Carolina
4. Alabama (8-1)
Last week: 20-9 win vs. LSU
This week: vs. No. 11 Oklahoma
5. Georgia (8-1)
Last week: 41-21 win at Mississippi State
This week: vs. No. 10 Texas
6. Texas Tech (9-1)
Last week: 29-7 win vs. No. 7 BYU
This week: vs. UCF
7. Ole Miss (9-1)
Last week: 49-0 win vs. The Citadel
This week: vs. Florida
8. Oregon (8-1)
Last week: 18-16 win at No. 20 Iowa
This week: vs. Minnesota
9. Notre Dame (7-2)
Last week: 49-10 win vs. Navy
This week: at No. 22 Pittsburgh
10. Texas (7-2)
Last week: BYE
This week: at No. 5 Georgia
11. Oklahoma (7-2)
Last week: BYE
This week: at No. 4 Alabama
12. BYU (8-1)
Last week: 29-7 loss at No. 8 Texas Tech
This week: vs. TCU
13. Utah (7-2)
Last week: BYE
This week: at Baylor
14. Vanderbilt (8-2)
Last week: 45-38 win vs. Auburn
This week: BYE
15. Miami (7-2)
Last week: 38-10 win vs. Syracuse
This week: vs. NC State
16. Georgia Tech (8-1)
Last week: BYE
This week: at Boston College
17. USC (7-2)
Last week: 38-17 win vs. Northwestern
This week: vs. No. 21 Iowa
18. Michigan (7-2)
Last week: BYE
This week: at Northwestern
19. Virginia (8-2)
Last week: 16-9 loss vs. Wake Forest
This week: at Duke
20. Louisville (7-2)
Last week: 29-26 loss vs. California
This week: vs. Clemson
21. Iowa (6-3)
Last week: 18-16 loss vs. No. 9 Oregon
This week: at No. 17 USC
22. Pittsburgh (7-2)
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. No. 9 Notre Dame
23. Tennessee (6-3)
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. New Mexico State
24. South Florida (7-2)
Last week: 55-23 win vs. UTSA
This week: at Navy
25. Cincinnati (7-2)
Last week: BYE
This week: vs. Arizona
Just like last week, the four first-round byes would go to Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama if the season ended today.
No. 1 Ohio State would get the winner of No. 8 Oregon and No. 9 Notre Dame — a game that’d be played in Eugene at Autzen Stadium.
The Hoosiers would receive a tough test, as either No. 7 Ole Miss or No. 10 Texas would have to face one of the best stories in college football in the quarterfinals.
Texas A&M’s draw would be no slouch, either. No. 6 Texas Tech would host No. 11 Miami (more on this in a second), with the winner facing the Aggies. Can you imagine if we got Texas A&M vs. Texas Tech in the quarterfinals? This state might implode.
Finally, Alabama would receive the victor between Georgia and South Florida. Unfortunately, I think we all know how that one would end — and I say that as somebody who loves the small schools!
As things are currently constructed, Miami would get the ACC’s lone bid as its conference champion, but that’s a little misleading. The Hurricanes actually don’t control their own path to the ACC Championship Game — several other teams, such as Georgia Tech, Duke, Louisville, and Virginia, are ahead of them in that regard and are much more likely to make it into the CFP as a result. Just take Miami’s placement in the bracket with a grain of salt — it’s probably not going to happen.
If any of you are peeved with this week’s ranking, don’t fear. The D Poll comes out tomorrow, and that’s sure to alleviate any concerns.